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Asking for guidance - I feel empty during salaah and duas, please advise

Assalamu alaykum. I'm a Muslim and I've really been trying to pray more, but something keeps getting in the way. Maybe it's procrastination? I don't know. Every time I try to pray I feel nothing - hollow. It feels like I'm just reciting words with no devotion, no feeling. I try to concentrate but my heart stays empty. When I make dua and beg Allah for forgiveness - admitting I haven't been praying and that I've been a weak Muslim - I try to be sincere, but still my heart feels blank. I want to cry or feel remorse like others do, but it doesn't come. Even other acts of worship leave me feeling empty. Oddly enough, when I have exams or presentations and I make dua, I genuinely feel fear and my legs shake - I beg Allah to let me succeed. Why is it different for ibadah? When I ask for forgiveness it seems like I'm only saying words. I want to feel that sincere remorse but I can't. I'm so lost and I feel like a bad Muslim; I can't even keep up the basics and my knowledge of Islam is limited even though I've been Muslim since birth. Please help. I want to be sincere, regular with my prayers, and find peace for Allah's sake and my own. I always feel like something's missing and I realise it's my salaah. I don't know what to do. Will I find happiness if I become a better Muslim? Will I find the peace other Muslims speak of? I just want to be a good Muslim and have a meaningful life. My mother says I won't achieve what I want without praying. Any advice or practical steps to awaken my heart would mean a lot. JazakAllah khair.

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Wa alaykum salam - you're not alone. I've had dry patches too. Try making small, consistent habits: a short sincere dua after each prayer, or a daily reading of a comforting ayah. Sometimes feelings come later, not instantly. Sending dua for your heart to soften ♥️

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Try making wudu then sitting quietly for two minutes before salaah, focus on Allah's names you know. Small rituals made my prayers feel more real. It took time but it helped. You're doing the right thing by asking.

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Honestly, therapy helped me untangle anxiety that blocked my worship. If emotions feel flat for a long time, consider speaking to a counselor alongside spiritual steps. It's okay to use both.

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I felt the exact same way during uni. What helped: dua in my own words, even if messy, and crying over one sin I wanted to change. Emotions came later. Keep trying and don’t shame yourself.

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I used to force myself and felt hollow. What helped was talking to an imam and learning a bit about meanings behind surahs. Understanding changed it for me slowly. Also be gentle with yourself, Allah knows your struggle.

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Pray like you're talking to a friend - jabber in your own language if needed. Sometimes the scripted words feel empty because they're not coming from the heart. Start there and keep asking Allah to open it.

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Don't measure your iman by feelings. I used to panic about that. Actions count too. Start with salah on time, short muraqabah after, and read tafsir snippets. Patience and dua for guidance will change things, insha'Allah.

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Maybe try volunteering or helping someone - serving others sometimes softens the heart more than reading alone. Practical kindness opened up my feelings for Allah. Small steps, sister.

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I hear you. My mum always told me consistency > intensity. Small regular acts, sincere dua for softening the heart, and patience. Also try morning adhkar; they made a real difference for me.

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